The Lost Hunter eBook

“To me,” concluded the Solitary, “a
dungeon or a palace ought to be alike indifferent;
but I will not thwart the minds of those who love
me, however vain their desires. The Lord hath
brought this light affliction upon me for His own
good purpose, and I await the revelation of His will.”

“I do not doubt we shall be able soon to release
you from your confinement,” said Pownal; “meanwhile,
tell us what we can do to make your condition tolerable.”

“I lack nothing,” said Holden. “These
hands have ever supplied my necessities, and I am
a stranger to luxury. Nor liveth man by bread
alone, but on sweet tones, and kind looks, and gracious
deeds, and I am encompassed by them. I am rich
above gold, and silver, and precious stones.”

“If there is anything you desire, you will let
me know? Command me in all things; there is nothing
I am not ready to do for you,” said Pownal.

“The blessing of one who is ready to depart
be upon thee, for thy kind words and loving intentions;
and should real trouble arise, I will call upon thee
for aid. I know not now,” he continued,
“why I should hide like a wounded beast.
I fear ’tis but for a visionary point of honor.
Why should not a gentleman,”—­this
he said sarcastically—­“occupy the
workhouse as well as a boor. In the eyes of One,
we are all equal. Ah, it might do this hard heart
good.”

“You have promised to respect the prejudices
of your friends,” said Pownal, “whatever
you may think of their weakness.”

“You shall never endure the disgrace,”
said Anne, with kindling cheeks. “See how
Providence itself interposes to protect you!”

“Your suggestions, my children, find an echo,
alas! too truly in my own heart to be rejected,”
said Holden, dejectedly. “I repeat, I will
obey you.”

The young people remained for an hour or more at the
hut, conversing with the Solitary, to whom their presence
appeared to give great pleasure; and, before parting,
Pownal exchanged some words apart with Esther, having
for their object the promotion of her guest’s
and her own comfort. The kind heart of the squaw
needed no incentives to conceal and protect Holden,
but Pownal felt he had no right to encroach upon her
slender means, and such arrangements were made as
would more than compensate her.

As the sleigh started from the door, Anne said to
Pownal, with some tenderness in the tone of her voice:

“You need not tell me, Mr. Pownal, the name
of one of the strange Paladins last night. How
will Faith thank and admire you. But, O, let
me beg you to be prudent, lest you fall into the power
of these bad men.”

It would have better suited the feelings of Pownal,
had Anne uttered her own thanks more directly.
His inexperience and distrust of himself did not comprehend
that it was in reality the way in which the modest
girl expressed the admiration that swelled her heart.